Chapter 4

Sebastian's POV

Ayla's expression finally cracked. "Fine. Since you're getting all brave, threatening me to back down with a breakup, I'll see—"

I raised the bottle to my lips and started downing it before she could finish. The liquor burned its way down my throat and into my stomach. A searing pain ripped through me.

Moments before I lost consciousness, all I could see was Ayla's face, growing larger and larger as it drained of color.

…

When I woke up again, two days had passed. Dark circles shadowed Ayla's eyes. She sat beside my hospital bed, clutching my hand.

"Seb, you're finally awake. I never thought you'd actually drink the whole bottle. Was your condition really that serious? I'm sorry. I…"

Tears streamed down the face of the woman who had once brought me more happiness than I could ever describe—and more pain than I could bear.

Yet looking at her now, I felt nothing.

I raised my hand to stop her. The movement pulled at my muscles, sending a dull ache through my body.

She hurried to support me. "The doctor said you need plenty of rest."

I glanced at her. "You promised me my pendant."

She quickly handed me a small box. I looked at the two crosses and pressed them against my chest. Then she left to find the doctor.

With my flight departure time drawing near, I picked up my phone and prepared to leave. Suddenly, my social media notifications exploded, showing more than 99 interactions.

"You ableist! Shame on you! You have no conscience at all!"

"He posts about donations and volunteering online, yet bullies deaf people in real life. How can someone be so hypocritical? For all we know, those donation receipts are stolen pictures!"

"He posts sign language tutorials while bullying deaf people himself. What's he really up to? Someone needs to investigate him!"

The edited surveillance footage from the private room two days ago had been leaked online.

My fingers trembled uncontrollably as I scrolled through the posts. People accused me of things I had never done. Wave after wave of vicious abuse launched at me like a merciless missile.

The moment I stepped out of the hospital room, I felt countless judgmental stares fall on me. When I saw Ayla, I shoved my phone in front of her, my eyes bloodshot.

"What the hell is this?"

She frowned and then grabbed me by the shoulders. "Listen to me, Seb. Someone took pictures of Johnny and me together and accused him of being a homewrecker.

"I posted the footage to divert attention from the rumors about him. He can't handle being cyberbullied. Just put up with it for a little while, okay?"

Her hands were burning hot, like red-hot chains clamping around my shoulders. "Then what about me? Ayla, have you ever stopped to think about what happens to me?"

"You have me!" she countered. "The hate you're getting is only temporary. How about this? We'll get married after this. I'll protect you for the rest of your life."

Those familiar words were once an oath I had kept.

After a while, I finally stopped struggling and spoke in a hollow voice. "Can you promise never to contact Johnny, then?"

Ayla's hands stiffened. "I can give you anything I want, but—"

Her special ringtone for Johnny rang out, interrupting her words. I heard sobbing on the other end.

The hesitation in her eyes vanished. She let go of my shoulders and turned around. Her lips parted and closed several times as she struggled to hide her panic.

Ultimately, she told me, "We'll talk about this when I get back."

Without waiting for my response, she left in a hurry. The last shred of my hope crumbled.

There wouldn't be a "we" in the future anymore.

After Ayla left, I dragged my aching body toward the airport without shopping. Thankfully, my flight had been delayed, so I made it just in time.

Before boarding, I deactivated all my social media accounts and threw my SIM card into the trash.